8:30 pm – today’s burn out operation om the west side of the fire as a slide show from Kyle Evans:
7:30 pm – Here is “find the firefighters” by Jeff Mallory
That is some steep country.
5:15 pm – from Steve Harper, edited for brevity and clarity:
To the left you can see mt Manuel and where the fire has stopped burning. You can see the Mt Manuel trail on the left and the Pine Ridge trail on the right. The very steep hand line is on the south side of the river and is running down the the back loop of the State Park campgrounds.
Anyway here is the photo. You can see the flank of Mt Manuel and the Mt Manuel trail and the road that goes up to the SP water tank, and the water tank itself. Further north are the ridges, some with visible flames. Steve Harper thinks the Gorge will be a problem, as he evidenced by asking about it at the last meeting.
00 pm – well this is a lot of fun … A fire just broke out WSW of me on the West side of Lake Naciemento. It is 100-200 acres and moving fast. This could get interesting – one to the north west of me and one to the south east. Hmmm…Moving to new post, will keep this one focused on Soberanes.
From Ken Wright at 4:18 pm – “Firing from Juan Higuera along the slope South the Gorge and beyond.” 1/2 hour later, Ken reports the back fire seems to be going perfectly. Here’s the view of it from Clear Ridge by Jen Smith:
3:45 pm – near Hopkins Ridge, by Kyle Evans
1:45 pm – Juan Higuera from Clear Ridge by Jeff Mallory:
12:30 pm – getting questions about the warned-about road closure, but I have heard nothing. One local in a burn out area was told (unknown level of authority) that if things didn’t go well with the burn out operations currently being conducted, a closure could be ordered. So far, all reports are that it is going well.
11:30 am – this is where the firing operation is going on – between Div breaks of N and O. It’s been going on for a while, per Soaring’s comment. My understanding (not a “for sure” thing by any means) is that the plan is to continue burn out operations, as weather permits down that dozer line through “N” to Div “ZZ” and further down, ahead of the main fire. This plan, of course, can change as the weather changes or the fire does.
9 am – today’s acreage is listed as 71,860 with containment at 60%. Want to know how the backburn on Coast Road is doing? Read Soaring’s eloquent and moving account in the comments section on this post. Made my day. Also reported that the backburn on the handline at Juan Higuera is going well, as well.
7 am – just a reminder, then I will be back later.
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On a bathroom run in the night I heard a vehicle and walked to the kitchen window to look below in the curve of the N Coast Ridge road, where tiny lights on the roof perfectly outlined the rectangle form of a slowly cruising engine. It was a 24-hour crew posted for the burn operation, patrolling the line, attuned not to the obvious attraction, the orange flames flaring clear in a canyon some distance to the east, by the south Ventana Cones, but as Matt, the captain from Lassen told me, they are trained to have eyes swiveling away from the fire, into the green – in this case, the dark of the west, for any sign that fire could have crossed the road.
These are the experts. To all in Sur who live below the Coast Ridge Rd., please know, they are doing everything they can to keep the fire inside the line. Two days ago, when the hotshots walked with drip torches along the side of the road, lighting off the masticated swaths by the roadbed, or shot flares further, into the trees in the forest, they were followed by engines and crews on foot, shovels in hand. When the operation was at our homes they stood, backs to the fire, searching for any stray sparks floating our way. They stayed for long shifts, waiting, watching, professional and intent. Paramedics were posted nearby. Some crews walked up on the steep west side, putting out flareups in the overhanging trees, utterly focused. My heart feels such gratitude and respect for the service of all involved in fighting fire. Fire is neutral, doing its job, breathing across the way, breathing and eating fuel. The firefighters are doing their jobs, very matter of fact, creating fuel breaks. They are breathing the smoke, I haven't seen one mask on anyone working here. Bodies and lives on the line.
Huge thanks for the enormous effort we are witnessing.
What a great report, Soaring. Eloquently written. I can envision what you write.
Soaring, thank you for that heartfelt, and detailed, description from the front lines. It brings tears to my eyes, and I am deeply grateful for everyone's selfless service, as well as for this level of information.
Thank you for the lovely report, Soaring!!! The sky is clear and the sun shines beautifully bright here in the Highlands -- only the 2nd time in more than three weeks. I pray that all of you down coast will be blessed by the same Very Soon.
Beautifully written, incredibly moving account of these brave warriors. Thank you, Soaring.
Watching the watchers...beautifully observed & written. Thank you, Soaring.
Thank you, Soaring. That eases our hearts up here in Nevada County. And thank you again, Kate!
Your text brought tears to my eyes Soaring...q
From Green Ridge here, woke up last night (cannot sleep!) went outside to find a sky full of stars, first time in what seems a very long time, I could even see the Milky Way. Praying for everyone to be safe, locals and firefighters
Johanne
Soaring.. We all needed that... Some details from the front and uplifting news. Thank you so much and all praise to the firefighters, local and visiting, professional and volunteer!
It would mean a lot to the fire fighters to read your moving words, Soaring. A most heartfelt TX you to all who contribute to bigsurkate.
Thank you Soaring for so eloquently sharing your observations, respect and gratitude. A deeply touching reminder of the peril faced by all of us, being tackled with such commitment and expertise by such a vast network of individual teams.